“It is protective, and you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine,” Bell said.

Bell said parents with sick children should visit their pediatrician first.

“However, if they are in a lot of respiratory distress, or you really feel they’re dehydrated, and they haven’t made good urine output over the last several hours, we would like to see them in the emergency department,” Bell said.

Doctors don't believe flu season has peaked yet. Activity typically peaks between December and February. With cases lasting as late as May.

“This is flu season so we expect it may increase before it decreases,” Bell said.